Bayern Munich represent ultimate test for Barcelona and Lionel Messi in Champions League

Bayern Munich will bring back mixed memories for Lionel Messi and Barcelona in the Champions League.

The Argentine attacker led Barca to a superb 3-0 win over the Bavarians at Camp Nou, which included one of his best-ever goals, in the semi-finals of the competition – and en route to a treble – in 2015.

But two years earlier, it was Bayern winning a treble and eliminating the Catalans – amid uncertainty as coach Tito Vilanova received treatment for cancer – with a humiliating 7-0 aggregate victory in the last four.

Barcelona and Bayern were paired together again in Friday's Champions League draw for the final stages, although both have to overcome another opponent first.

For Bayern, getting past Chelsea should be straightforward enough after the Germans beat the Blues 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg before the break due to coronavirus.

Barca, after a 1-1 draw at Napoli, will also be expected to prevail in their return match at Camp Nou.

Advancing after that, though, will be much more difficult. Bayern have won all their games in Europe this term, thrashing Tottenham 7-2 in London, Red Star 6-0 in Belgrade and securing that emphatic win at Chelsea en route to a probable place in the last eight.

The Bavarians have completed a domestic double in Germany, too, winning 19 of their last 20 games in the Bundesliga (the other was a 0-0 draw against Leipzig in February) and claiming the DFB Pokal with victory over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. They have not lost since December.

With pace, strength and aggression through their team as well as excellent technical ability, Bayern represent the ultimate test for Quique Setien's stuttering Barca and the Blaugrana will need an epic night from Messi to have any chance of progress to the semi-finals.

"I didn't have any expectations from the draw because we are focused on Napoli," Setien said on Friday. "That's the key."

If Barca can find a way past Napoli and Bayern (or Chelsea in the unlikely event the Blues come back from 3-0 down in Munich), the Catalans could meet Manchester City, Real Madrid, Juventus or Lyon in the semi-finals. Paris Saint-Germain or Atletico could then await in the final.

"It's all hypothetical and that doesn't get you anywhere," Setien said.

But with LaLiga looking difficult as Barca trail Madrid by a point and Los Blancos have a game in hand, the Champions League may be their last chance of a trophy this season.

As Messi said during the break, significant improvement will be needed for Barca to bring home the coveted trophy – and Bayern will provide the ultimate test to their credentials.

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